Optometrist Hourly Pay in Peoria, IL: $82.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Peoria, IL runs $82.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,531 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $90.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,924 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Peoria, Illinois, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $82.47 for 2026, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $67.60. This robust pay scale benefits both full-time and part-time optometrists, especially in settings like private exam rooms, retail optical chains, and academic clinics. For example, those working three days a week can expect to earn approximately $39,000 for a part-time schedule, making this profession a viable option for those seeking flexible work arrangements. The hourly wage range spans from $63.56 for entry-level positions to $100.68 for experienced practitioners, reflecting a competitive landscape for optometrists in the city.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63.56 | $508.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66.65 | $533.17 |
| Median (P50) | $82.47 | $659.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.38 | $667.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.68 | $805.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria
Based on $82.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.47/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, IL can expect to earn approximately $171,540 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,965. With a cost-of-living index of 91.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Peoria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,298.84 | $14,295 | $171,540 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,979.30 | $8,577 | $102,924 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,319.54 | $5,718 | $68,616 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Peoria) | $82.47 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Peoria, IL earn a median of $171,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.99% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 25.60% above the Illinois state average of $136,570.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.47/hr = $102,924/year (purchasing power: $112,817).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,540/year (purchasing power: $188,028).
CoL index: 91.231 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$67.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $69.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $67.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Peoria grew 18.5% from $67.60/hr (2019) to $80.10/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.91/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Peoria
Exploring part-time employment further, working just 24 hours a week as a per diem optometrist can yield annual earnings substantially below that of full-time professionals, yet still attractive relative to other health fields. For per diem roles, some optometrists can command between $500 to $1,200 daily, depending on whether they are filling positions in retail chains or OD/MD practices in Peoria. However, referring directly to hourly rates, working in private versus retail locations might yield differences, with some optometrists opting for lower hourly wages in exchange for comprehensive benefits like health insurance in a structured practice. In contrast, higher hourly pay at retail chains may compensate for a lack of employee benefits. Negotiating employment terms can vary, with local professionals encouraged to emphasize their residency training or specialization to secure the most favorable compensation.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Peoria in 2026?
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Peoria. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov